Last Friday the Lord Mayor of Leeds, Councillor Abigail Marshall Katung, led a ceremony in Park Square to unveil a new plaque commemorating 25 years of the city’s memorial tree, dedicated to honouring those who have lost their lives in road collisions.
The event took place during Road Safety Week, which runs from 17 to 23 November, organised by the road safety charity Brake. This year’s theme ‘After the Crash’ highlights the impact of road collisions on victims and families and celebrates the road safety heroes who provide crucial support after a road death or serious injury.
The memorial tree stands as a poignant reminder of the tragic loss of life on our roads. It is a place for reflection and remembrance, inviting people to pause, pay their respects, and consider the importance of road safety.
During the event, the Lord Mayor gave a short speech reflecting on the memorial’s significance and the role that everyone has to play in achieving Vision Zero, the council’s ambition to eliminate fatal and serious road injury by 2040.
The Lord Mayor of Leeds, Councillor Abigail Marshall Katung, said:
“Road crashes have a devastating impact on victims and families so it’s important that we have a place in Leeds where those affected can come to remember their loved ones. I’m honoured to unveil the new plaque commemorating 25 years of the memorial tree, which serves as a special landmark and a place of reflection in our city.
“As a city, we are working towards Vision Zero. We want to eliminate road death and serious injury by 2040 because no one should have to lose a loved one on our roads. The only acceptable number of road casualties is zero.”
Councillor Jonathan Pryor, Leeds City Council’s deputy leader and executive member for economy, transport, and sustainable development, said:
“Road Safety Week helps us reflect on how we travel around our communities and reminds us that each journey in a private vehicle carries responsibility. It’s important to remember that simple actions can save lives.
“I’d encourage everyone to talk openly with friends and family about safe driving habits and to sign the Vision Zero pledge to show their commitment to making roads safer for everyone. We all have a part to play in making Leeds roads safer.”
Alison Lowe, West Yorkshire’s Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime, and Chair of the West Yorkshire Vision Zero Board, said:
“The last 25 years has seen thousands of people killed and seriously injured on our roads.
“Each and every one of those is a tragedy and together, we must honour their memories and do everything we can to eradicate road deaths and serious injuries in the region by 2040.
“Everyone has a role in road safety and we must all do our bit to make that change.”
Between 2019 and 2023, road crashes in Leeds killed 92 people and seriously injured another 2,136 people.
The Vision Zero Strategy, adopted by the council in 2022, sets out the ambition to eliminate road death and serious injury from the city by 2040.
Vision Zero is made up of five themes: safe speeds, safe behaviours and people; safe roads; safe vehicles and post-collision learning and care.
Together, the themes are part of a ‘Safe System’ approach which considers the bigger picture of road safety and how understanding this can make the whole traffic system safer.
The safe and sustainable travel team supports Leeds City Council’s ambition to become a city where car ownership is not essential. The team encourages safer and more sustainable travel choices by promoting a shift away from private vehicles towards walking, cycling, and public transport.
We encourage everyone to support the Vision Zero initiative, which aims to create a future where no one is killed or seriously injured on our roads.
Sign the Vision Zero pledge here: Vision Zero Pledge – West Yorkshire Combined Authority
